SPENCER OUT OF DERBY

Partnering Excellent Art in the French 2,000 Guineas, Spencer was hit with a six-day ban for hampering Jimmy Fortune and Tariq early in the straight.

He was then handed a further four days for causing interference to Visionario and Christophe Soumillon with around a furlong left to run.

Spencer was represented at yesterday’s hearing, which was conducted at the headquarters of France Galop, by solicitor Rory Mac Neice. The jockey appealed solely against the decision made by the Longchamp stewards to hand him a four-day ban for the second incident but failed in his bid to overturn the decision.

“We appealed against the four-day element of the 10-day ban but the suspension was upheld,” said Mac Neice.
Spencer – who must already sit out May 23 and 24 for failing to ride out for sixth place on High Heel Sneakers at Ascot on May 12 – will be out of action between May 25 and June 3 and is unable to ride second favourite Dalvina for
Ed Dunlop in the Oaks.

Regime, his intended Derby mount, now goes to Martin Dwyer, who partnered Sir Percy to victory in last year’s Derby.

Ted Durcan, who regained his United Arab Emirates  Champion jockey title this winter, will be on board current Vodafone Derby second favourite Salford Mill for Newmarket trainer David Elsworth on Saturday week.